Summary

Johanna and Captain Kidd drive north from San Antonio, retracing their steps past Wichita Falls, where their journey began. Along the way, Captain Kidd gives readings. In Dallas, he learns that Mrs. Gannett has remarried, to a man slightly younger than she is. Eventually, they travel throughout Texas, from East Texas where they see the state’s large populations of former slaves towards the Gulf where they breathe in the sea salt.

Though she never learns to pronounce the letter, “R,” Johanna learns English during this time. Captain Kidd abandons a Kiowa-English dictionary project. Johanna retains many of her Kiowa values, such as courage, and keeps a minimalist lifestyle. Captain Kidd learns from her how to value the truly important things in life, and recommits himself to his readings. After three years, Captain Kidd’s daughters and grandchildren move to San Antonio. Captain Kidd...